Historic: No N.C. drivers in NASCAR race

No North Carolina native in Sprint Cup race at Charlotte.

NASCAR has long been viewed as a Southern sport, one with roots that run deep in the North Carolina country surrounding the site of Saturday night’s race, Charlotte Motor Speedway.

But in this Bank of America 500, fans will witness something not seen in more than 50 years in the sport — a race without a driver from North Carolina.

Trivia fans, take note.

So when was the last time this happened?

With Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Mooresville, N.C.) sidelined with a concussion and Scott Riggs (Bahama, N.C.) failing to make the field, the green flag will wave on a field without a driver from North Carolina for the first time since May 27, 1961, at Ascot Stadium in Los Angeles.